The 76th Annual Christmas Candlelight Vespers will provide a chance for Baker University’s choral and instrumental groups to kick off the holiday season in perfect harmony.
Professor of Music John Buehler said the vespers festival only consisted of choir performances in its early years, but it now involves all areas of music. Two orchestra selections will be performed, in addition to the several pieces performed by each of the choirs, all of which will announce and celebrate the arrival of the holiday season, Buehler said.
The choirs’ preparation for vespers has been interrupted by such events as the Clarice L. Osborne Memorial Chapel rededication and the presidential inauguration, Buehler said. Many traditional holiday pieces have been chosen, and each presents its own level of difficulty to the choir.
“All of the music is challenging for various reasons,” Buehler said. “Each piece has its own complexity.”
Adjunct Instructor of Music Lori McKinney said this will be her second year of involvement with vespers, and she appreciates that Buehler includes the orchestra in the event. The orchestra’s offerings to the celebration will be two traditional Christmas melodies, McKinney said.
“Vespers seems to start the Christmas season for me, whether I’m here or in my hometown. In my hometown we had a vespers on the same date, and so it really starts my holiday season,” McKinney said.
Sophomore Carissa Nichols said this will be her second year singing at vespers, though she attended five years prior to that to watch her brother perform. Nichols said one particular piece the audience will hear has a special meaning for her.
“My favorite piece is ‘Peace, Peace’ because we sing it every year at church for Christmas, and it reminds me of my grandma because it was her favorite song.”
Freshman Eli Jones said he is looking forward to his second year attending vespers and his first year being part of the show.
“I have a lot of friends and family coming to the concert,, and it is a great opportunity to visit with them after not seeing them this year,” Jones said.
The concert will be at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the First United Methodist Church of Baldwin City.